Ronaldo named Player of the year

Monaco : Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA Player of the Season for 2016-2017 yesterday after a campaign which saw the Portuguese superstar help Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double.

It was the third time that Ronaldo had won the award which was presented on the sidelines of the Champions League group stage draw.

His great rival Lionel Messi has won the prize on two occasions and could pave the way for him to capture a fifth Ballon d’Or title.

“There are the same goals every year, to meet the same challenges, win everything if possible, qualify for the World Cup with my national team,” said Ronaldo.

“This trophy will give me the motivation to keep working hard, never to give up. I am blessed and delighted to be with Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo won the UEFA award in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 and in the Champions League last season, where Real defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final, he finished as top scorer with 12 goals.

Ronaldo, who finished top scorer in last season’s UEFA Champions League with 12 goals, including two in the final against Juventus in Cardiff, received 482 points in the poll, with Messi (141 votes) and Buffon (109 votes) finishing second and third respectively. 

The gifted front-runner has enjoyed a remarkable goalscoring career, finding the net 530 times in 721 matches overall. He has scored 407 goals in 396 appearances for Madrid – including 90 goals in 88 UEFA Champions League outings. His 15 goals in 52 Champions League appearances for United mean that he is the overall top scorer in Champions League history. He has top-scored in the competition, either jointly or outright, a record six times – including for a record five consecutive campaigns.

Ronaldo has also netted 75 times in 143 appearances for Portugal, and was an inspirational figure in the team.